Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Waving the Flag at the School Board Meeting

Today, Wednesday the 14th of May, 2014, was an auspicious day for the UPenn cohort. Not only did many of us take the AP test for US history today, it was also the glorious day that all ILC students attended the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board Meeting. Here is what happened, in meticulous detail: I arrived after an uneventful car ride that was tragically lacking in British accents, and chatted with my friends and members of the cohort. Then our chaperone Mr. Hilyer talked to the cohort, providing us with more details of the trip, such as the importance of bringing power strips and electric fans. (I've heard a lot now about the sweltering east coast summer we are going to enjoy. But really, it can't possibly be THAT bad. ...Can it?)

The cohort with our banner.

The Ivy League Connection was one of the first items on the School Board Agenda, and as the meeting proceded each cohort was introduced and the chaperone and a student representative from each cohort gave a brief speech. I really enjoyed hearing from other ILC participants about how their participation in the ILC had affected them personally. Everyone who spoke was eloquent and passionate. Our speaker was Julia Shebek and her speech was excellent. Do not let her humility deceive you! Julia's speech was stirring and poignant. Seriously though Julia, good speech! My only job, it should be noted, was to hold part of the UPenn banner, walk about ten feet in a vaguely dignified manner, and smile. Not to toot my own horn, but I think my performance was outstanding, especially in the flag/banner holding department. I expect a promotion any day now to chief executive flag/banner holder.

After all the cohorts had been introduced, the herd of ILCers migrated in an efficient and orderly fashion to the back of the room where Don took many pictures and no one blinked or moved their heads at all. When the picture taking was finished, we all received certificates, and then reconvened outside the school.

The UPenn cohort with our certificates

Even though we got to leave, the School Board had to stay and work late. Since the ILC took up one of the 18 pages of the school board's agenda, at that rate the meeting would last for 36 hours. Therefore, on behalf of everyone in the ILC, I would like to express my gratitude to the School Board not only for doing all the important work that school boards have to do, but also for your patience in letting us all hijack your meeting for nigh on two hours. I would also like to thank the community in general for your support, and the benefactors in particular for making the ILC possible.